Rotary machine



July 23, 193s.

J. D. SPALDING ROTARY MACHINE Filed July 21, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 llameys .1. D. SPALDING ROTARY MACHINE July 23, 1935.

Filed July 2l, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 OQUM/ Millen/far July 23, 1935.

J. D. SPALDING ROTARY MACHINE Filed July 2l. 1933 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ma 92 95 lly nul M l |!l rm I, l uh 7 11mm?" W g5? Q HIM' i Q 1 @D 86 55 2 11 im ,ll Z

[l 19 t i8 l `9.1 21

om ,im m1/AM gmc/Mm J' D' sFAlnlnnucs ROTARY MACHINE Filed July 21, 19

July 23, 1935.

33 6 Sh@ets-Sheet 4 www lll

J. D. SPALDING ROTARY MACHINE Filed July 21, 19:3

`uly 23, 1935.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor July 23, jv DDSPALUNGl ROTARY MACHINE Filed July 2l. 1333 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 supporting bearing and an upthrust bearing as?"v Patented 'July 935' zaposmi no'rAnY MACHINE l.niii'ii nspsiding, 'Los Angeles, Cani., minor, c by mesne assignments, to The National Superior Company, Toledo.

Delaware 0hio, a' corporation.

I, application Jiiiyzi, iosaseniu No. 681,518 i 3 25523) y l 'riiisinveniion relates to rotary miwhiiisjsnd more particularly toa rotary machine of the fully enclosed type and lto improvements therein ap plicablev to either the imake and breakftypeof, i 5 rotary, ras disclosed in letters Patent No. 1.596,'5691 and No.'1,782,769, issuedlto' Lewis'rEfZerbeand John D. Spalding, respectively, andwhichmayl likewise be incorporated'in, the conventional 1o appiication-of David s. Famknenci. lai., serieu No. 504,753, med December 2s,- i93o. 'As applied to either the make and break t ype ,or wuven-y s means for forcibly aining tional type of rotary machine, this invention re-j' lates toan improvement in the baseand tablev structure of such a. rotary machine so as to fully enclose in a unitary housing the gears',' bearings and operative parts -of the rotary machine.'

An'object of this .invention isto provide a fully enclosed rotary machine with a bearing structure forthejrotary gear., table, including .a main or sembled with the gear table to provide ya, unitary` or` self-contained unit which can b e positioned: within and removed from .the rotaryy table as a unit and without disturbing the initial "bearing adjustment.`

`Aiiither object a rotary machine in whichv provision is made lfo the supplyingv 'of independentlubricant to the' gear table bearing, the table gear and pinion' andthe ypinion shaft bearingv from separate openings' conveniently grouped for servicing by the operator ofthe rotary machine.

Another-object o f this-'invention lis to provide` arotary machine-with an. outwardly extending@y n n the. pinionk shaftl portionjof a` rotarymachine portion'to house the pinion shaft unit, s aid 4eir-l tending portion having a @tbox-like top upon which pipe might be racked, andwhichlikewisev provides an. improved vandfsiife footing for the operators working around'the machine.

Anotherl object of this invention is to provide an improved type o f rotary machine of such con-v struction -that the base is applicable for supporting to the operation of the make and break", type of of invention is provide iiiis iiiveiiiioii is to 'priivide an improved rotary machine in which ls thrown centrifugally onto the operators from the l surface of the gear table whenrotating. "1 Y Another object of this inv'ention llato provide" va Arotary table ingwhicnfthereis provided a gear `and pinion'lubricant reservoir,- andin which ig lmeans are provided to' limit the level to which the 'lubricant may be fllledrin said' resililoil,v and lld plug orfotherimechanis'xn -=5 -'Other objectsland' advantages. lof Y tion it Y is l believedgwill beapparentyf'on-:jthe

vthe rotary or gear vtable showing'lthe'fspider in lof Figure 2.

the heavy loads, particularly suchas are incident c ture embodying my invention.

' oi new lubricantinto thereservoir.

toventfrom the bottom ofthe reservoir theused l Another 'object of 'this invention islto provide a rotaryfmachine in lwhich-;there1is"provided a lybllcntfrm the reservoir without-*the necessity? of removing a i this inven following "detailed description of'. a preferred ein bodiment thereof asiillustra'ted in the' ingdrawiuss.'LQ/ 'l In they drawings:

Figure "riss sidesievaiion of 's Y, i

.embodying myinventionfy Flgure y21-isv asectional side elevation'- ngi-93.581 120D Plahview ofthe rotary mg.; 25 chine. pltly-lnxhorizontal section and with tbel y. 'i

gear tablessemblyremoved'from the base. l

I: Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation taken sub `stani'iially on the line #-4 of Figure 3 showing the rotary geartablein position with the spider in y30.

make-'upf' position.

. rFigure 5 is a sectional end elevationofthefbaae of the-rotary machine taken-.substantiallyfongthed unes-' tofrigure-c. v

Figui-e6 is a sectional rend elevation throughs;-

taken substantially on the line-- ofFigure 2. ll'igure'iiiia.toppliiniiewpartlyinsectional*v cross section'taken substantially on the line 'If-1 Figure 8 is a t0n perspective view-ofthe rotary machine embodying invention with thetable guard removed.'4 :'-f f' Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rotary ma@ 45 chine base embodying' invention vlooking ,up wardly lfrom the underside thereof. '1

Figure 10 is a fragmental sectional view taken substantially'onthe line II-iofl'igure il.v I

Figure llv isa fragmental sectional viewsimi larto Figure 10 ina modiiled form of the struc- Figure 12 is al"flalnentitl sectional vie; to Figure 10 of a further mpdmed om @t mcd o 'Ihe upper surface I9 o v erably in substantially the same plane with the' upper surface 9` of the outwardly extending por- Figure 13 is a diagrammaticv plan'view of the modified form of o my invention illustrating myinventlonY as adapted to the conventional type of rotary machine.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line Il-Il of Figure 13 of a rotary machine lembodying my invention of the conventional type and showing the lock pawls removed.

Figure 15 is an end sectional view taken substantially on the line IB-IB of Figure 14 illus- 'trating the base casting with the table and pinion assemblies removed.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention Vas illustrated in the accompanying drawings-,I

indicates the base of a rotary machine' and which includes an upstanding annular wall 2 and an 'outwardly extending pinion shaft portion l which is preferably formed integral with the base I to providefa housing l for a unitary pinion shaft assembly 9 preferably in the manner as disclosed in the copending application of Lewis E. Zerbe. Serial No. 655,212, filed February 4, 1933. o

The outwardly extending portion 9 of the base I is preferably so formed as to provide a box-like structure having a nat upper surface 9' giving to the entire rotary machine base a deep, box-like appearance. .The construction of the base in this manner provides a platform upon which pipe may be racked, and likewise provides a platform for the loperators of the rotary machine enabling the operators to more readily grip the slips, bushings or other objects which may be utilized in connection with the rotary drilling process. Mounted within the opening formed through the base I of the rotary machine is a rotary or gear table 1 which is housed, except for its' upper surface, within the annular wall 2 of the base I.

the rotary table 1 is preftion 9 of the base I, as is more clearly shown in the perspective view of Figure 8. The rotary table 1 is formed with a downwardly extending sleeve or skirt 1` which extends downwardly into the base I of the rotarymachine within'the annular wall 2. i

The rotary table 1 is preferably formed so as to carry the supporting bearing 9 and the upthrust bearing Il upon which the rotary machine is supported and held from vertical displacement respectively within the base I of the rotary machine. The rotary table 1 and the bearing assemblies 9 and Il are thus carried by the table I as a unit so that the initial adjustment of the` bearings may be provided when-the rotary table isremoved from vthe base and is so carried that the adjustment thusprovided will not be dis-- turbed upon the insertion of the unit consisting of these bearings and the table into the base of the rotary machine.

In order to drive the rotary table with respect to the base, the vrotary table is provided with a ring gear l which is adapted to mesh with a pinion I2 carried by the shaft 99 of theunita'ry pinionshaft assembly l.

In order to permit insertion of the unitary pinion shaft assembly 5 into the housing l so that Lthe pinion I2 will mesh with the ring gear I, an

opening II is formed in the upstanding wall 2 'within the enclosure formed by the housing l of the outwardly extending pinion shaft portion 9 of the base I. r-

In order to form an enclosure within the base Ito protect the gears and bearings of the rotary machine'from foreign matter such as the rotary rotary machine embodied in mud,v -water or other foreign substances, the table I or the ring gear 9 of the table 1 is formed with a groove I9 which cooperates with the 'upper end of the annular wall 2 the edge of which fits within the groove I3 to form an enclosure within the In order to provide the unitary assembly of the i of bolts Il which are passed through holes I9 formed in the base I and are threaded to the ring I9, Access is had to the bolts I9 through openings 2I provided in the longitudinally extending sill or skid portions 29 of the base I.

Inorder to locate the ring I6 within the rotary machine before it is secured in position by the bolts I9, a phuality 'of dowels 22 whichregister with corresponding dowel holes` formed in the rings I 9 are provided to correctly orient the ring I9 within the base of the rotary machine.

If desired, a thinsheet gasket may be employed between the mating faces of the ring I9v and the shoulder I1 ofthe base I to seal off this joint against all leakage.

The thrust ring I9 is formed to provide a channel in which the race ring It of ythe-supporting bearing 9 is fitted. Bearing members are mounto ed between the race rings I6* and a second race ring I9* which is operatively engaged with the skirt 1 of the rotary table 1.

The channel formed in the thrust ring Ilprovides a means forl maintaining lubricant around 4the bearing 9 and the outer wall I9 of the thrust ring I9 is extended upwardly to overlap a downwardly depending flange I5 formed on the under portion of the table 1 to prevent the inter-change of lubricant between the bearing 9 and the pinion I2 and the ring gear 9.

The upthrust bearing Il, including the race rings Il* andll" and the bearing member are mounted upon a retaining ring I9 which is threadthe skirt' 1 so as to enable an initial adjustmentl of the positions of the supporting and upthrust bearings 9, which adjustment is locked by means of a locking dowel 2l which is passed through an opening formed in the retaining ring, I9 and into a correspondingv opening from the lower part of the skirt 1'l and held plu! 2,4.; The upper race ring I4'l of the upthrust bearing fits within a groove 29 formed in the lower portion of the thrust ring I9 to maintain a unitary form of construction so that all of the parts in the unitary structure are carried by the table 1 of the rotary machine and may be withdrawn from the rotary base or placed in the rotary base without disturbing the setting of the bearings I9 and Il. o

In order to retain lubricant around the upthrust bearing Il, and likewise to prevent the introduction of foreign matter into this bearing in position by means of a' ed to the lowerl end of the skirt 1* of the rotary l assembly, the supporting ring I9 is formed with f lubricating chamber 23 and. and the lockring 3|),` are mounted within a housing sleeve 3| within the housing 4 `providedby the outwardly L extending portion 301i,` lthe base I. A cap 32 is provided for the'sleeve3l faces of the vcap 32 and the sleeve 3| are shims 33 to provide for the. necessary adjustment ofthe bearings. i

In order to seal the shaft y33 where it projects through the cap 32 isapacking groove 33 formed on the inner periphery of the cap 32 to hold packing around the shaftA 33. l.The shaft 33 is adapted to be driven by an overhanging reversible sprocket 31 -which is reversibly keyed byv means of a key 33 to the' overhanging or projecting por.4

tion of the shaft 33.

The pinion I2 is keyed -by meansof a'key 39 tov .j

the inner end of the shaft 33. :Mounted between bearings 28 and 23 is a lock' ring 40 provided with radially projecting lock lugs through the medium of which the shaft 33 ofthe unitary pinion shaft assembly may be locked against rotationin either direction by means of lock-pawls 4I and 42 which are enclosed within the outwardly extending portion 3 of the base I and are adaptedr to be .actuated by actuating levers .43 and 44 mounted upon the actuating shafts of the lock pawls 4|and 42 at its end 'which projects Vfrom the housing 4 of the outwardly extending `portion 3 of the base I in a manner substantially as disclosed in the coy pending application of Lewis E. Zerbe, Serial No. 655,212, illed February 4, 1933.

The base I and the table-1 of the rotary machine are so formed as to provide three inde pendent and separate llubricant chambersor' reservoirs which formed within the sleeve 3| of the unitary pinion shaft assembly 3 in'which lubricant is maintained for lubricating the bearings 23 and 29;lubricating chamber 43 formed within the base of the rotary table. and'rnaintainedseparated from thek 43 by. means of the cover` 32 at one end which closes the hole II formed through the annular rim 2, the downwardly pro-r iecting flange I3 of the rotaryv table 1 which cooperates with thek thrust ring I3, and the up- Y- standing wan forming the bowl 21 or the base l to close the reservoir 43 at its other end. lGear j lubricant is. preferably mounted inthe reservoir 43 to lubricate the meshingdrive pinion I2 and A ring gear 3 of the rotary table.

The chambers 43 andr 43 are sealed against. transfer of lubricant so'that the proper lubrica-` tion may be provided foreach of theoperating;

assemblies. `The third lubricating chamber `is provided within the base I .of the' rotary table and exterior to the skirt 1l of the rotary, table 1 and is the lubricant chamber or reservoir 41 within which the bearings 9v and |4 are mounted. This lubricant reservoir is sealed against transfer of lubricant 4to or fromthe lubricant reservoir 41 by means of the overlapping flange .I5 .and thrust ring I3 andthe structure of' the base :I

" forming the bowl 21. and the structure.` of the skirt 1'L of the table 1 which prevents admission* of foreign matter to within the chamber 41 .from within the interior of the rotary machine. Y

The chamber 41 is provided with bearing lubri-v cant particularly applicable forvproperf lubrication of the bearings 3 and I4. In order to supply lubricant to the three lubricant reservoirs 43, 43 and 41, from a single con-.-

the end of` the sleeve 3| 4by means of 34. interposed between the mating` 41. y yLubricant include the lubricant reservoir 45 Y venientV int I prefer to provide` the' following l are grouped. the convenient lubrication of all parts of the rotary machine. The lubricant inlet 43 provides the inlet for the lubricant relquired for the reservoir45. v'Ihe lubricant inlet 43 provides the inlet throughwhich the lubricant is supplied for transferring the lubricant to the reservoir 43. The lubricant inlet 33 provides the inlet for the lubricant requiredfor lubricating `the bearings 9 and I4 in the lubricant reservoir y admitted to the inlet 43 flows through a cored -channel'liI formed inthe'structure of thebaserl, passes throughthe cored chan,- nel 5| intoa similar cored channel 32 formed in theoutwardly extending portion 3 of the base I throughan formedinthe rotary base by means of separating inlet 49. flows through a'separately cored channel 33` around the'opposite side of the structureof the `base I to deliver the lubricant into the lubricant reservoir43. Asediment trap 31 vis formed is picked up by the-pinion "I2 and Y carried upwardly to the gear 3 from. which itis thrown oifanddrained back' to the reservoir 43. A drain plug 33 permits draining of the lubricantY from thel lubricant reservoir 43. A drainL plug 39 in the side wall of the base permits draining the trap 51.

in1et53, and into the reservoir 43.` vThe channel) 5I is separated from other channels walls-54 and55. The lubricant admitted intolthe In' order to maintain a xedoil level in .the i reservoir v43, there is yprovided an overflow outlet l30. A port'GI connects the overflow outletwith thebottom of the. reservoir 43. Upon any new lubricant being added to the supply in the reservoirk 43, the old lubricant which may be contaminated with water or other foreign matter insuspension is displaced outthrough the port 3| and outlet 30 draining through the bottom of the base structure I. In the event that water or slush mud should enter the gear and pinion enclosure and mix with the lubricant in the reservoir 43', the overow outlet 33 limits the level to which vthe mixturecan rise, and ordinarily if therotarl machineis shut down for any time, the water will precipitate to the lower portion of the rservoir 43 and willbe displaced upwardly through the port 3| and outlet 3|) upon any new supply of .lubricant being added.

An ejector fitting 32 may be provided in the .reservoir 43 in order te eject the contents there` from outwardly through the port 3| and outlet 30 upon steamer air being supplied through the connecting conduits 33. 'I'he plug 34 for the conduit outlet 33 level of the outlet 33 and closesthe opening to the conduit 33. 'Ihe passage forming the outlet 33 and the outlet'port 3| is proportioned to cooperate with theV fitting 32 to obtain an elective vejector and .deect the fluid downwardly upon its being discharged from the outlet 43.

The inlet so provides the inlet for the hanane forthe reservoir 41 and the inlet 33 is connectedl with the reservoir or chamber .41 within which the bearings 9 and I4 are mounted by means or a cored passage 33.!ormed in the structure oi' the base 1 and communicating by means of an open. ing 33with thefchamber. 41. v'111e e 33 is provided with the depressed'portion 31 in which is positioned above the overflow..

eign matter and the depressed portion 81 is provided with a drain plug 88 permitting draining of the lubricant from the passage 88. Any inspection plug 88 is provided in thebowl 21 to permit inspection of the clamp bolts on the upthrust adjusting ring. v j' In order toinsure against the admission of rotary mud, water or other foreign matter into the interior of the rotary machine into either the lubricant reservoirs 48 or 41, the flat treaded portion 8 of the outwardly extending pinion portion 3 of the base I extends up to the periphery of the rotary table 1 and forms an/upwardly pro- ,iectingv circular rib 18 which extends yacross the width of the base I and forms the outer wall of a circular groove 1I. A labyrinth passage produced between the base I and the table 1 by the grooves I8 and 1I protects the gear tableenclosure against the entrance of mud, water or other foreignmatter. I'he bottom of the groove 'II slopes gradually from the center portion of the base to form openings 12 on the opposite faces of the rotary base I. Any mud or water flowing over the table 1 drains into the groove 1I and hence outwardly through the openings 12. To increase the overflow capacity in thegroove 1I there is provided in the wall which forms the bottom ofthe groove 1I a pluralityiof holes 13 that open directly on the under side of 'the base I. circular notches 14 can be formed in the upper rim of vthe rib I8 in alignment with the holes 18 to facilitate cleaning the latter with steam or water jet if desired. f

To increase the effectiveness of the seal betweeny the gear table 1 and the base I, means may be provided as illustrated by Figures 11 and k12 to form a grease seal or a seal of other suitable substance whichris illustrated in the modification illustrated by Figure 11 and may be fed to the side walls of the grooves 1I' through a suitable grease connection 12 which communicates withI a lateral passage 18' in thel table 1' or gear ring 8' thereof. The table 1' may be slowly rotated as grease is fed under pressure through the connection 12' so as to completely fill the clearance space which forms the labyrinth restriction between the table and the base.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 12 of the grease seal where the groove 1I" is not provided with a bottom drain, the connection 12" communicates with a downwardly directed passage 18" to supply grease to the bottom of the groove 1I", from which point it is forced upwardly to coat the side walls of-the groove 'II" The entire bottom of the groove 1I" may bel covered with grease by rotating the table 1" as grease is fed under pressure through fitting 12".' vThe top of the rotary table 1 is provided withl a guard or mud deilector 18 as illustrated specini cally in Figures l, 2, 4 and 6. The mud deflector 18 consistsof two halves which are secured to the lugs 18 ofthe base I by means of cap screws 111."` The outer portion 18 of the guard 15 serves as a foot rest'or circular platform around the rotary .table and permits the operator to stand close to the drill pipe and handle thev gripping slips which support the drill pipe in the opening through the table. The outer portion 18 of the guard l18 is also a mud'deflector for defiecting the mud thrown centrifugally from the table top when the rotary is running. The inner portion 18 of the guard 18 has an inwardly vprojecting flange 88 which projects into an annular groove llinlthe table gear ring 8 to .form an additionallabyrinth If desired, semicasting I.

shaped cross sills 84- and transverse'webs 88' restriction against the entrance of foreign matter into the enclosure. 'I'he downwardly projecting flange of the portion 18 defines passages 82 and 88 for the drainage of `mud or water thrown The make and break" rotary as illustrated in thepreferred embodiment of my invention is preferably formed so that in the bore of the table 1 there is provided a set of diametrically opposed and spaced pockets 84 which are formed in inwardly projecting segmental lugs 88 and project into the bore of the gear table 1.

'Ihe lugs .88 are spaced apart so as to provide passages 88 between the lugs 88 so that the lugs 81 formed on the spider or bushing 88 may pass through the passages 88 to be supported within the pockets 88 formed in the integral supporting ring 88 of the table base I With the construction thus described tpe lugs 81 formed on the spider 88 are adaptedto engage and to be supported by Veither the pockets 84 in the gear table 1 or in the pockets 88 of the base I solely by vertical movement vof `the spider and rotation thereof to align the lugs 81 with the respective pockets.

Spider 88 is,ps ovided witha tapered bore 8| and a square-shaped recess 82 within'which there is fitted the split table bushing 88. The bore of the bushing 88 is adapted to handle either the slips for supporting the drill pipe or the drill stem bushing for handling thedrill stem in a manner well understood by those skilled in the practice of the well drilling art. vWhen the bushing or spider 88 is supported in the pockets 84 of the table 1, the weight of the drill pipe or casing supported by the bushing is carried directly by the table 1 to the main bearing 8 which is supported by the shoulder I1 of the base I.

When -bushing 88 is supported in the pockets 88 of the base I, the entire drill pipe load is then carried directly by the integral ring portion 88 of the' base I. Isa-order to adequately support the ring portion so, there is provided cross sins 84 which are ush with the longitudlnai'sill sur'- faces of the sillsl28.v 'I'he cross sills 84' are channels shaped in cross-section and merge into the annular bowl portion 21 of the base I. Longitudinal and transverse webs Sand 88 serve to reinforce and distribute the, resses inthe base Strut ribs 81 reinforce the channel serve to tie the ring 88 into the base structure between the cross sills 84. Any slush or mud collected in the bowl 21 of the base I-is drained through openings 88. `When extremely heavy loads are to be encountered, such as when wells are being drilled to extreme depths, it may be desirable to frame .therotary drill support in the derrick so that the rotary base is supported longitudinally under the sills 28 and likewise transversely under the cross sills 84.

-In the modification of my'invention as illus trated in Figures 14 and 1 5, my invention is illustrated'as adapted to a conventional type of rotary machine, that'is. a rotary machine that vis notofthe make and break type. j l

In this modification of my invention, I 8| illustrates'the base of the rotary machine `which has an inner opstanding wall' |82 and an outer upstandina wall |88 surrounding the gear table I84 mounted on the' bearingsv |88k and held in position by the bearings |88 within the base III.' The table assembly, including'the table |84, bearings' |88 and |88, is removable as a unit with the bearingthrustring I 81 inthesamemanneras heretofore described in connection with the make and break type rotary. i

The upthrust ring .|01 is formed Vwith a downwardly extending ilange portion |08 which cooperates with a complementary upstanding flange .|09 of the base |0| to forman effective oil seal for the bearing |06. The oil or lubricant which overilowsfrom the oil reservoir for the bearing |06 drains downwardly and forms a seal between the flanges |08 and |09. The outwardly extend- .Y ing portion ||0 of the base |0| provides a housing for the bearing housing sleeve assemblylll Within which is rotatably mounted pinion shaft ||2.

' .The portion ||3 of the base which supports the pinion end of the bearing housing sleeve .is substantially cylindrical in cross section as illustrated in Figure 15 and forms a bridge between the inner and outer upstanding walls |02 and 45|03 respectively.

.Reinforcing lwebs ||4 form an integral tie between the table portion and-pinion'shaft p ortion of the base |0|. Radial-webs llibetween the inner and outer walls |02 and |03 support lthe inner portion of thebase which forms the oil enclosure 'for the gear table |04. The construction as thus described provides a more effective enclosure for the geartable and bearings. Any mud that passestherim of the outer Wall |03 is deflected downwardly and drains through the bottom of the base'l0l.

To facilitate drainage of water that may be deflected upwardly from the surface Lof the outwardly extending portion of the base and pass over the .rim of the outer wall |03, there is provided a passage ||6 formedfbetween the inner Wall |03 and the transverse wall I1.

'Ihe cylindrical bridge 3 and webs ||4 are the only restrictions -formedin the passage ||6. In'the construction shown in Figures 14 and 15, it will be observed that all fluid which passes over the.V rim'of the outer wall |03 is drained through the" sideoffthe rotary base into the` cellar of 4the .derrick In other respects, rexcept that' the modification illustratedin Figures 14 Aand 15V is of the conventional type rather than the make and break type rotary, the construction does not differ materially from that described'in connection withvthefmake and break Having fully described my. invention, itis to be understood thatI do notwish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

1. In a rotary machine fordrilling wells, the combination of a base, a geartable, a bearing for rotatably supporting the gear table with relation to the base, an upthrust bearing-.between the basel and the table, a bearing thrust ring supported upon a shoulder formed within the enclosure of the base, means for detachably se-P curing the thrust ring` to thebase, one thrust rac'e ring of each of said bearings being engaged with the bearing thrust ring,i` the other race ring of the upthrust bearing being carried by the gear table, the `other thrust race ring of the supportingr bearing being operatively engaged with the gear vtable-so that upon release of the detachable se curing means for the thrust )ring the gear table, including the supporting and upthrust bearing assemblies, may be withdrawn from the base as uma l .2. Ina rotary'machinefor drillingy wells, the

I combination of a base having an upstanding an-j` and' passages formed in the base for separately u i nular wall, a gear table'mounted within the yannular wall, said table including a'downwardly extending annular member, .means providing an annular supporting shoulder within the enclosure of the base,.a bearing thrust ring mounted upon the shoulder, asupporting bearing mounted upon.

the thrust ring to rotatably support the table, an

upthrust bearing assemblyoperatively engaging the thrust ring, `means for adjustably securing .an element'of the upthrustbearing assembly to the downwardly. extending annular element of the table to enablerelative.adjustment of the upthrust and supporting bearings between vthe table and the thrust ring, and means for 'detachably securing the thrust ring to the base-so that uponrelease of said detachable securing means the table, supporting bearing and upthrust bearbase, an upthrust bearing assembly, the gear table having a downwardly extending annular element extending downwardly into thebase, -means for detachably and adjustably supporting the upthrust bearing on the said annular element, a

thrust ring interposed between the :supporting and upthrust bearings, and means for detachably securing 4the thrust ring to the base sothat on release yof the detachable means ythe rotary table, including the said bearing assemblies, may be withdrawn from `the base as a unit.

4. In `a rotary machine, thev combination of a.

base having an opening therethroughl and provided with an upstanding annular wall, a gear i table mounted on the base and having an annular skirt extending into said opening, the periphery of the gear'table extending over the edge of the upstanding wall of the base to provide a seal between the base land the-gear table to resist the entrance of foreign matter intothe base, a gear table supporting bearing mounted en -the base,I an upthrust bearing including a ringhaving a downwardly extending annular groove andniounted upon the. skirt of the :tablewithin the base between the base and the gear table, the base being provided near the lower end of the skirt of the table with an integrally formed upstanding annular wall adapted tocooperate with the down-- wardly extending annular groove inthe bearing ring to prevent the admission of foreign matter to within theinterior of the base from the underside of the table. Y

5. In a rotary machine, the combination .of a base having an upstanding annular wall, aA gear table mounted within the base and having 'its periphery cooperating with the upstanding wall to define a seal'against the entrance of `foreign matter into the baseienclosu're, bearing means' for rotatably supporting the table on thebase,

' gear means for driving the rotary table relative to teA the base, a shaft having a pinion :to drive the gearmeans, bearings for the shaft, means definingv a lubricant chamber for the shaft bearings, means defining a separate-lubricant'chamber for'. the

pinion and gear'1ri'e aansr means providing aupa-.

rate lubricant chamber for the gear table bearing means, separate lubricant openings in the base for supplying lubricant to ,each of vsaid chambers,

conductinglubricant from the said openings to the separate chambers.

6. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base having an upstanding outer annularV wall, a rotary table having a gear positioned within said annular wall, a pinion shaft, a pinion carried by said shaft to mesh with and drive the gear of the rotary table, a second upstanding wall formed on the base inwardly concentric from bearing means for supporting the gear table on the base, gear means4 for driving the gear table,

vmeans cooperating with said base and table to define an enclosure for said gear means, means for supplying lubricant for the bearing means, means for supplying lubricant for the gear means, an upstanding annular partition carried by the base to separate the lubricants provided for the bearing means and the gear means, and a downwardly extending flange carried by said ltable to overlap a portion rof the'outer periphery of said annular partition to provide a labyrinth restric tion between said flange yand partition.

8. In a rotary machine, the combinationof a base, a gear table rotatably supported by the base, gear means for driving the table, means providing a lubricant sump for lubricant for the gear means, and means providing an overflow for duid within the sump to overflow excess iluid from the lowerl portion ofl saidsump.

9. In a, rotary machine, the combination of a base, a gear table rotatably supported by the base, gear means for driving the table, means provlding a lubricant sump for `lubricant for the gear means, means providing an overow for fluid within the sump to overflow excess fluid from the lower portion of said sump, and means mounted l within the sump for forcibly cleaning the sump through the overflow.

10. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base, a gear table rotatably supported by the base, the base having an outer annular wall formed to provide a channel, the table being formed to provide an annular lip extending into the channel, and means for forming a grease seal in the channel between the lip and the walls of the channel.

11`. In a rotaryv machine, the combination of abase, a gear table rotatably supported by the base, the base having an upwardly extending outer annular wall, means providing an annular lip and channel seal between the table and the outer annular wall, and openings formed in the base structure for draining foreign matter thrown by the table through the structure of the base.

l2, In a rotary machine, the combination of a base having an opening therein, a table rotatably supported by the base, bearing means for rotatably supporting' the table on the. base, upthrust bearing means for rotatably supporting the tableV within the base against upward thrust, the upthrust bearing means includinb` bearing supa downwardly extending skirt formed on the rotary table to which the bearing supporting ring is adjustably secured, the ring and supporting bearing being removable upwardly through the opening in the base upon removal of the table, and cooperating ilange means formed between the bearing supporting ring and the base on the underside of the supporting ring for excluding foreign matter from lthe upthrust'bear` ings, said flange means on the base being formed integrally therewith.

13. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base, a rotary table rotatably supported by the base, the base having an upwardly extending annular wall, cooperating means between the upstanding wall and the table forming a labyrinth path to resist the entrance of foreign'matter into the interior of the annular wall of the base, a guard ring secured tothe base to extend inwardly over the rotary table, a foreign matter draining passage formed in the downwardly extending flange of the table guard, and the guard being formed to vprovide a flange to cooperate with a groove in the rotary table to resist the passage of foreign matter to the joint between the table and the upstanding wall.

14. In a rotary machine for drilling wells, the combination of a base having an upstanding annular wall, a gear table mounted within the annular wall, including a downwardly extending annular member, cooperating means between the upstanding wall and the table to define a labyrinth path to resist the entrance of foreign matter into the interior of the annular wall of the base, means providing an annular supporting shoulder within the base, a bearing thrust'ring mounted upon the shoulder, a supporting bearing mounted upon the thrust ring to rotatably support the table, an upthrust bearing assembly operatively engaging the thrust ring, means for adiustably securing an element of the upthrust bearing assembly to the downwardly extending annular member of the table to enable relative adjustment of the upthrust and supporting bearings between the table and the thrust ring, and means accessible from the under side of the `base for detachably securing the thrust ring to the `base so that upon release of said detachable securing means the table and supporting and upthrust bearing assemblies may be withdrawn from the base as a unit.

15.In a rotary machine fordrilling wells, the combination of a base having an upstanding annular wall, a gear table mounted within the annular wall, including a downwardly extending annular member, cooperating means between the upstanding wall and the table to deilne a labyrinth path to resistl the entrance of foreign matter into theinterior of the annular wail of the base, means providing an annular supporting shoulder within the base, a bearing thrust ring mounted upon the shoulder, a supporting bearing mounted upon the thrust ring to rotatably support the table, said bearing thrust ring having inner and outer upstanding walls to define a lubricant chamber for the supporting bearing, an upthrust bearing assembly operatively engaging the thrust ring, means for adjustably securing an element of the upthrust bearing Aassembly to the downwardly extending annular'member ofthe table to enable relative adjustment of the upthrust and supporting bearings between the table and the thrust ring, and means accessible from the underside of the base for detachably securing the thrust ring to the base so that upon release of said detachable securing means the table. supporting and upthrust bearing assemlies may be withdrawn from the base as a unit.

16. In a rotary well drilling machine, the combination of a base, a table rotatably supported by the base, bearing means for rotatably supporting the table on'the base, upthrust bearing means for rotatably supporting the table within the base 'against upward thrust, said upthrust bearing means being positioned'below the plane of `said pingement of any foreign matter upwardly be- -tween the outer periphery of the bearing ring and the surrounding adjacent wall of the base.

17. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base, a rotary table having a gear and being rotatably supported by the base, the base having f an upwardly extending outer annular wall, means providing an annular lip and groove seal between the table and the outer annular wall, an inner annular wall spaced from the outer wall and enclosing said .table gear to provide a lubricant chamber, and means providingan annular lip and groove seal between the tableand the inner annular wall, the passage defined between the inner and outer walls communicating with the opening in the bottom of the base to drain `any foreign matter lwhich passes the lip and groove seal between the outer wall and the table.

18. In a rotary machine, a base including a pair of spacedv longitudinal sills formed integral with the base, a spider supporting flange formed in the base, and cross-beams formed integrally with the base on opposite sides of the opening in the flange, said cross-,beams having a Vweb section ilush with the bottom face of thesills to provide a support around the flange opening. 19. In a rotary machine, the combination including a base having an outer upstanding wall and anainne'r upstanding wall providing a lubricantreservolr, an overflow passage formed in the base to define the maximum level of lubricant within the chamber, said passage extending to ay point near the bottom ofthe reservoir so that foreign matter including water on settling to the bottom of saidchamber would be vdischarged through the .overflow passage on admission of `further lubricant to said reservoir.

20, In a rotary machine, the combination including a base having an outer upstanding wall 4 and an [inner upstanding wall providing a lubrica nt reservoir, an overflow passage formed in the base to denne the maximum level of lubricant within the chamber, said passage` extending to a point near the bottom of the reservoir so that foreign matter including water on settling to the bottom 'of said chamber would be discharged through the overflow passage un admission of further lubricant to said reservoir, and means mounted in the reservoir and acting through the overflow passage for forciblydischarging nuid from said reservoir. a y

2l. In a rotary machine, the combination includinga base Aincluding spaced longitudinal sills formed integrally with the base, the base -having a vertically extending opening, a spider supporting fiange'formed in the base opening near the lower end thereof, and cross-beams formed integrally with the base on opposite sides of the opening to provide a support around the flange Openins- 22, In a rotary machine, the combination including a base having lan outer annular wall and including a piniony shaft supporting portion'extending outwardly from the annular wall, a rotary table rotatably supported by the base within the annular wall, and the pinion shaft supporting portion being provided with an integrally formed flat upper surface which is substantiallyr flush with the surface of the rotary table.

' 23. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base having a vertical opening therethrough and an outer annular flange, a rotary table mounted in the openinglwithin the outer annular ilange, the base being provided with an outwardlyextending portion formed integrally with the base 4 of substantially rectangular cross section, the upper surface of which portion is flat and lies substantially in the plane of the surface of the table.

24. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base having an upwardly extending annular wall, a rotary table rotatably supported vwithin an opening formed in the base, the rotary table being vformed to provide a labyrinth path at the upper edge of the wall, a guard ring supported by the base kand including an vannular section adapted to extend horizontally over thesurface of the rotary table, and a horizontal section adapted to cooperate with an annular groove formed in the edge of the rotary table, and verticallyv `extending annular sections cooperating with' the said horizontal sections to guide mud or other fluids from' the surface of the rotary Vtable to the exterior of therannular wall of the base. Y

25. In afrotary machine, the combination of a base having an upwardly extending annular wall, a rotary table rotatably supported within an opening formed in the base, the rotary table being formedto provide a labyrinth path at the upper edge of the wall, a guard ring supported by the base and including an annular section adapted to extend horizontally over the surface of the table in spacedv relation thereto to provide a channel through which mud or other fluids are thrown from the surface of the rotary table as the rotary table revolves and whichv guard ring includes avertically extending passage for the 'receipt of said mud or other fluid to guide the same cooperate-with a sealing groove formed inthe periphery of the rotary table.

base having an upwardly extending annular wall, a rotary table rotatably supported withinv an opening formed in the base, the rotary table be- 26.' 1n e rotary machine, the combination or e ing formedto provide a labyrinth path at the; upper edge of the wall, a guard ring supported ,a y

4by the base and includingy an annulansection' adapted to extend horizontally over the? surface or the-table m spaced relation thereto -torprqvide a channel through which mud or other. fluids are thrown from the surface of the rotary table as' the rotary table revolves and which guard ring includes a vertically extending passage for they receiptof said mud or other fluid to guide the i same to the exterior of the wall of the base of the rotary machine, and which guard ring includes.

an intermediate section extending horizontally to cooperate with a sealing groove formed in the periphery of the rotary table, and said'guard ring including a second vertically extendingsection spacedfrom the edge of the rotary table and from theannularwallofthebasetoprovideasecond passage for mud or other fluid to pass down the exterior of the annular Wall of the base.

27. In a rotary well drilling machine, the combination of a base having an upstanding annular wall, a gear table, a gear table supportingv bearing assembly, means for rotatably supporting the gear table supporting bearing assembly on` a shoulder formed within the base, an upthrust bearing assembly, the gear table having a down-y ring to crient the assembly of the rotary table and bearing assemblies with relation to the base so as to prevent relative rotary movement of' the"v thrust ring and base andto permit the detachable securing means to'be actuated to secure the saidassembly of the rotary table. and bearing assemblies to the base.

28. In a rotarymachineythe combination of a base having an annular wall and including af pinion shaft supporting portion extending outwardly from they annular wall, a gear table rotatably supported' by the base within the annular wall, cooperating means between the annular wall and the table forming a labyrinth path to resist the entrance of foreign matter l into th'e enclosure defined between the wall and the gear table, saidpinion shaft supporting portion being provided with an'integrally formed fiat upper surface which is parallel to the upper surface of the gear table, means defining a drainage channel between the annular wall of the base and the pinion shaft supporting portion of the base, said channel communicating with the opening in the bottom ofthe base to drain any foreign matter entering said channel from the top portion of the rotary machine.

29. In a rotary machine, the combination of a base having an annular wall and including a pinion shaft supporting portion extending-outwardly from the annular wall, a gear table rotatably supported by the base within the annular wall, cooperating means between the annular wall and the table forming a labyrinth path to resist the entrance of foreign matter into the enclosure defined between the wall and the gear table, said pinon shaft supporting portion being provided with an integrally formed fiat upper surface which is parallel to the upper surface of the gear table, said upper surface having an' extension which conforms closely to the periphery of the gear table, a drainage passage communicating with the opening in the bottom of the base to drain. any foreign matter passing between said exten' son and the peripheryi'of the gear table and enteringY said passage. l

30. In a rotary well drilling machine, including a base having a central opening, a rotary table having a bore defined by an extension projecting through the central opening of the base, a spider positioned in the table bore and adapted to be either locked to the base or to the table, the locking to the base or the table being accomplshed solely by movement of the spider, the combination of a supporting bearing on said base encircling the extension of the table for rotatably supporting the table, and an upthrust bear-r ing between the table and the base carried by the extension formed on said table. y

31. In a rotary well drilling machine, including a base having a central opening, a rotary table having a bore defined by an extension projecting into the central opening, a spider positioned in Vthe bore and having a single set of lugs, said lugs being adapted to be engaged either with the table or with the base, the engaging of the lugs with the base or table being accomplished solely by movementv of the spider, the combination of a supporting bearing on said base encircling the extension of the table for rotatably supporting the table, and an upthrust bearing between the table and the base carried by the extension formed on the table, said upthrust bearing being positioned below the plane of said supporting bearing. A,

32. In arotary well drilling machine, including a base having a central opening, a rotary table having a bore defined by an extension projecting into the central opening, a set of diametrically opposed pockets formed in the base, a set of diametrically opposed pockets formed in the bore,

a spider mounted in the bore and having a set of diametrically opposed lugs formed on the spider and adapted to be engaged with either the pockets in the table or the base, the engaging of said lugs with the table or the base being accomplished solely by movement of said spider, the combination of a supporting bearing on said base encircling the extension of the tablev for rotatably supporting the table, and an upthrust bearing between the table and the base carried by the extension formed on said table, said ripthrust bearing being positioned below the plane of said supporting bearing.

n 33. In' ay rotary well drilling machine, including a base having a central opening, a rotary table having a bore defined by an extension projecting into the central opening, a plurality of spaced pockets formed in the bore of the said table, a y plurality of equally spaced pockets formed in the base, a spider mounted in the` bore and having a plurality of lugs spaced on its periphery so as to correspond to the spacing'of said pockets,v the said lugs being adapted to be engaged with either the pockets in the table or base, said engagementof the lugs with either the said table or base pockets being accomplished solely by movement of said spider, the combination of a supporting bearing on said base encircling the extension fof the table for rotatably supporting the table, and anupthrust bearing between the table and the base car-y ried by the extension formed on said table, said upthrust bearing being positioned below the plane ofv said supporting bearing.

34. In a rotary well drilling machine, including a base having acentral opening, a rotary table having a bore definedby an extension projecting into the central opening, a plurality of spaced pockets formed, in the bore of said table spaced to provide passa-ges, a plurality of equally spaced pockets formed in the base, a spider mounted in the said bore and having a plurality of lugs spaced on its periphery so as to correspond with the spacing of said pockets, the said lugs being adapted to be engaged with either the pockets in the table or base, said engagementof the lugs with either the said table or base pock'- ets being accomplished solely by movement of said spider, the said lugs being adapted to pass through the passage formed between the pockets formed in the bore of said table, the combinatable having a bore defined by an extension pro-- jecting into the central opening, a plurality of spaced segmental lugs formed in the bore ot the tableV and providing spaced pockets in the bore' o1' the table, a plurality of equally spaced pockets formed in the base, a spider mounted in the said bore'and having a plurality of lugs spaced on its periphery so as to correspond with the spacing of the said pockets, the said lugs being adapted to be engaged with either the pockets in the table or the base, said engagement of the lugs with either the table or base pockets being accomplished solely by vertical movement and rotation of the said spider, the combination of a supporting bearing on said base encircling the extension of the table for rotatably supporting the table, and an upthrust bearing between the table and the base carried by the extension formed on said table said upthrust bearing beking positioned below the plane of said supporting bearing.

36. In a rotary well drilling machine, including a base having a central opening, a rotary table having a bore deilned by an extension proiectinginto the central opening, a spider positioned in the table bore and adapted to be insertable andremovable from the top of the table,` and'means formed integrally with said base and adapted to nonrotatably support said spider on the base,fthe combination o! a supporting bearing on said base encircling the extension of the table for. rotatably supporting the table, and an upthrust bearing between the table and the base carried by thev extension formed on said table, said upthrust bearing being positioned below the plane of said supporting bearing.

. JOHN D. SPALDING. 

